A Natural Visual Transition
Mirage Hardwood
Nestled in the serene and tree-filled hills of Seattle, this stunning tri-level modern home is reminiscent of mid-century architecture. The floor-to-ceiling windows invite breathtaking views of the surrounding forest and Lake Washington. Designed to harmonize with its natural surroundings, the residence boasts a seamless integration of modern architecture and nature, capturing the essence of indoor-outdoor living.
However, one glaring issue stood out to the new owners: the old bamboo floors and carpet needed to go. They hired Dallas Watson Flooring to replace all the flooring, except the bathrooms, in their 3000 sf home.
Getting the Details Right
Curves and TransitionsThis Lake Washington home flooring project had several complexities, says Laura VanBrunt, project manager and flooring consultant. The first challenge was a special request from the homeowners to lay the floor around an existing waterfall counter that would not require the unseemliness of trim.
To accomplish this request, Laura and her team had to ensure the new floors and subfloor were the same height as the current floor. Perfecting this transition required expert calculation and skillful installation, and the result is seamless.
The numerous architectural curves and rounded stairs presented the 2nd stand-out challenge.
Curves
Installing wood floors around curved walls is challenging because standard wood planks are typically straight and not flexible enough to conform to the curved shape without being cut into very small and intricate pieces, which can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. Additionally, achieving a seamless and visually pleasing result requires precise measurements and specialized techniques, including climate control!
Rounded Staris
The rounded steps are a highlight of this engineered wide-plank hardwood project. Laura told us the curved steps were a uniquely challenging aspect of the job. She considered hiring a custom stair maker, but after receiving a $35,000 quote, she thought of alternative options. Laura devised a solution using a metal trim (Schluter Schiene Radius) that was under $1,000. Huge win. The detail is quite stunning, and the stairs draw your attention.
Mirage Hardwoods
Mirage engineered wide plank hardwood replaced the old floors, Laura, recommended Mirage for reasons including their outstanding quality and construction. Mirage also offers custom staining which is a unique feature of the brand.
Laura says, “I always recommend this brand for quite a few reasons. The mill is located in Quebec City, Canada and is completely run on hydro power. They exclusively source wood from local family owned mills that only cut trees from slow growth, so the wood is generally cleaner looking and more consistent. Also, they keep every stain color on file, so if there’s something in the future that causes the need for a partial replacement, they will make it again. That’s really a big one since I see over 100 homes a year where there’s water damage due to a dishwasher or refrigerator leaking. So, instead of having to replace all of the flooring, we can order a couple of boxes and lace in the new wood.”
Curved Landing
Birds Eye Steps
Curved walls
Longevity and Maintenance
Mirage floors have a lifetime structural warranty and a 35 year warranty on the finish. They are very easy to clean using the Bona hardwood cleaning system. And Bona is non-toxic also.
